ESPN talks UAlbany lacrosse with Laura Amato (AUDIO)

In this photo taken on Monday, April 28, 2014, University at Albany lacrosse players Miles Thompson (2), Ty Thompson (91) and Lyle Thompson (4) pose with coach Scott Marr after practice in Albany. The trio of Native American players, Miles, younger brother Lyle, and cousin Ty, have transformed Albany into an offensive juggernaut in Division I men’s lacrosse. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

The Record’s college sports reporter Laura Amato talked to ESPN lacrosse analysts Paul Carcaterra and Quint Kessenich about the University at Albany’s mens lacrosse team record-breaking season and the Great Danes chances in this weekend’s NCAA quarterfinal against Notre Dame.

Carcaterr’s and Kessenich’s conversation highlights and observations are highlighted below, but to listen to their entire conversation, simply click the link above.

The Great Danes play Notre Dame on Saturday at Hofstra University with the opening draw scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

The game is being broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and you can also follow @LauraAmato on Twitter for in-game updates.

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On the national perception of UAlbany after taking down top-ranked Loyola last week: Coming off of last week’s win, it was sensational. It’s the best I’ve seen UAlbany play since their last trip to the quarterfinals. While the Thompsons, and Lyle and Miles, capture the headlines, it was the play of their defense and their goal tender Blaze Riorden, that I think gave them the foundation for the offense to run wild. It was a more complete team effort - Kessenich.

On playing a complete game this Saturday, while staying true to their offensive game plan: I think offensively, they’re capable of scoring on anyone. There’s no question about that. Their skill set, how unpredictable they are and their offensive set, the creative ability of most notably Lyle and Miles, is just staggering. For them to take it to another level as a team and get to the final four for the first time in program history, you’re going to have to see a similar defensive effort with guys on their back line stopping Notre Dame’s Matt Kavanagh. Blaze Riorden just to be a fixture in the game early to give the team life and extra touches. These guys are going to score but so is Notre Dame, so it’s all about extra touches for this offensive unit and to put more pressure on this Notre Dame defense that’s not accustomed to playing a team that’s so unpredictable and the way that they attack is with a freelance mentality. - Carcaterr

On not letting the stage overwhelm, despite being a decided underdog (still): They don’t really stress over the game like some other teams that like to micromanage and control. Scott kind of rolls the ball out a little more and let his great players kind of decide the outcome and they won’t stress about giving up a goal here or there. I think that may have cost them a couple of games during the season that they should have won, but that mindset really comes in hand during May. - Kessenich

On dealing with double - and triple - teams after setting Lyle the all-time single-season point record last week: Lyle’s balance is unbelievable and his ball retention when dealing with the double team, where he can see both sides and even kind of look tot he defense all while he’s attacking. That’s unique. I haven’t seen a player in the country in the last decade or so that can handle double teams like Lyle can. - Kessenich